What to Know About Hurricane Life
The Southwest Gulf Coast of Florida learned something on Wednesday September 28, 2022, that’s the day hurricane Ian made landfall. We learned how unpredictable where a hurricane will make landfall can be. On Monday of that week Tampa was bracing for the hurricane impact, on Tuesday it shifted and now Sarasota was bracing for it. I had a friend who evacuated her Sarasota home and went to a friend’s house in Ft. Myers only to wake up Wednesday morning to flee inland because Ft. Myers was being ravaged by the hurricane. Hurricane Ian had made a turn south and hit with vengeance, whipping the area with winds in excess of 150 mph and creating the horrific, deadly storm surge. Even with all the technology, spaghetti models, and doom music at Jim Cantore’s disposal the “where” and the severity cannot be predicted. That fact is, if you live in Florida (or along the Gulf) preparing for hurricane season is a must. Have a plan, have provisions. Ray and I were without power for 12 days. Fortunately, Ray and I had prepared months before Ian. We had water storing containers on hand, we had non-perishable food stocked up, we had batteries, we had flashlights, matches, first aid kit and all was stored in our Hurricane Prep box. We have digital copies of our important documents (such as homeowners insurance!). We have storm shutters for our house and knew where the hardware to put them up could be found. Please, if you live along the Gulf Coast or along the Atlantic Ocean make sure you know where all that is located. Sure, all this seems silly and a waste of time if a storm doesn’t come your way, but if it does you will be glad you planned. Hope for the best and plan for the worst were words I was raised on.
The video below was taken at 5:30pm on September 28th during the hurricane and at this point we had been without power for three hours. After 5:30 the hurricane became too strong for us to go outside for quick videos. Ian kept howling until 9:00pm when it was reduced to a Cat 3 and then settled down overnight. (Yes, the video looks blank but that just adds to the drama)
The weekend before Ian hit, we were showing homes to a couple from out of state. They were here for a week with their two little ones to stay with friends, interview for a job and look at homes. Over the weekend we looked at houses in the Port Charlotte and Englewood area. During that time we saw people putting up their shutters and clearing their yards of their potted plants and patio furniture. Smart people because at this point the storm was still tracking to hit Tampa, not our area. On Sunday when we finished looking at homes, they said they were going to try and change their flight home from Monday
to Wednesday the 28th so we could look at more homes. Ray and I told them we have some storm prep to do over the next couple days, like putting up our shutters etc. and so we would not be as available for showing homes. Fortunately, they were not able to change their flights and they flew home on Monday as planned. We were so grateful they were safely back home and not here on Wednesday. The friends they were visiting in Englewood, their home suffered serious flooding and that little family had to be rescued by airboat. They were not in a flood risk zone.
We were fortunate we had minor issues compared to many. The big item was the screen for our lanai pool cage was shredded. Lanai screen was hard to find locally. Ray found a company in Texas that had the screen we needed and ordered it from there. So, finally in March we had our lanai back. And I was so excited the first time I could sit outside again. I know it seems silly, but if you are one of those people who mosquitoes and no-see-um’s love, then a screened in lanai is a beautiful thing! I happen to be one of those people, I am a magnet for them.
Here are links for helpful information...
Charlotte County Preparedness
Manatee County Preparedness
Sarasota County Preparedness
Market Stats and Data
What has happened in the last eight months since the hurricane? Did Ian shut down the real estate market? No. It did slow it down for a moment. But, there were still contracts that needed to be closed, and there were homeowners who needed to sell and there were Buyers who were looking for a new home. Right now, eight months later, yes, there are still homes waiting for their new roofs. But we are still seeing a strong market. The market is behaving more like a balanced market with a lean still towards being a sellers’ market.
Per my usual criteria for pulling stats and data we will look at homes that are 3 + bedrooms, 2 + bathrooms, private pool, square footage of 1500-2600 and a white picket fence ( no fence, just kidding –you know most areas here don’t allow fences) These stats include Gulf front to golf front, to HOA communities and non-deeded communities. So, what are we looking for this month? We are looking for how the punk Ian impacted the real estate market. Let’s dive into the numbers for the three counties of Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte. Remember Charlotte County and southern Sarasota County were hit the hardest by Ian .
Manatee County:
Currently there are 203 homes that fit our criteria on the market. In the last 60 days there have been 244 closed sales. The 60 days right after Ian there were 183 closed sales. And in the two months prior to Ian 194 homes sales closed. Currently the median sold price is $667,000 and a year ago it was $650,000.
click the link below and check out this home
Anna Maria Island Luxury
Sarasota County:
Currently there are 314 homes that fit our criteria on the market. In the last 60 days there have been 337 closed sales. The 60 days right after Ian there were 204 closed sales. And in the two months prior to Ian 236 homes sales closed. Currently the median sold price is $639,000 and a year ago it was $645,000.
click the link below and check out this home
Water view in Wellen Park
Charlotte County:
Currently there are 424 homes that fit our criteria on the market. In the last 60 days there have been 267 closed sales. The 60 days right after Ian there were 138 closed sales. And in the two months prior to Ian 193 homes sales closed. Currently the median sold price is $537,000 and a year ago it was $532,000.
click the link below and check out this home
Bungalow on the Gulf with 100 feet of beach frontage
I found this data interesting. My takeaway is Yes closings slowed down for a minute right after Ian. But then picked right back up. Sarasota County prices are a smidgen down from where they were a year ago. But the other two counties are a smidgen up. Buyers have homes to choose from. One of our listings had a second showing this week, which was unheard of a year ago. Currently Sellers are getting about 98% of their list price. Homes are staying on the market longer then Sellers would like, but I think Sellers always feel that way because it is such a hassle keeping your house ready for showings. Cash sales for single family homes is at about 56% and in the condo market it is more like 77%.
Some articles that you might find interesting
Mortgage Interest Rates -where are you going?
In Real Estate Photos are Important :)
We teach our children not to lie but our pets
Highlighting a few of our listings- just click on the addresses
Home in the quaint community of Oasis part of Wellen Park
Resort life style is easy in this Gran Paradiso home in Wellen Park
DOG friendly CONDO! in Toscana Isles in North Venice
A very rare photo of a Florida no-see-um . This is magnified at least 1000x!
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